Activities and Events in Maine
January 2012

With the list of activities and events in Maine, January 2012, you shouldn't find it hard to fight off the winter blues. All month long there are fun family things to do in Maine, both indoors and out. To kick-off New Year's 2012...

...in a fund raising event, brave swimmers will take a plunge into the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean, at the Annual New Year's Day Lobster Dip in Old Orchard Beach. In the weeks to follow...

...to help ease the post-holiday let down - for kids and adults alike - many ski resorts in Maine will be hosting fun, family-oriented January events and activities.

A Children's Festival Week, held at both Sunday River and Sugarloaf ski resorts...

...will offer great winter entertainment, along with special discount ski and stay packages, for the entire family. Also at the Sunday River ski area...

...are the International Fire and Police Winter Games, where spectators can watch as members of law enforcement agencies from around the world compete in exciting mountainside challenges.

Elsewhere, winterfests, snowfests, special winter celebrations and carnivals with ice skating, dog sled rides, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling...

...a chili cook-off and a casino night, will all be on the calendar of activities and events in Maine, January 2012. A word of warning...

Dress warm for outdoor activities and events in Maine in January! At that time of year the Maine weather forecast can call for VERY cold temperatures, often accompanied by snowfall. But with lots of layers, you can surely enjoy the fun!

Read where other travelers say the best places to stay in Maine are...

...and find the best Maine hotel deals, while comparing prices on hotels in Maine, motels, inns and B&B's.

Do you sponsor a Maine event, or know of one to share?

If so, the form at the bottom of this page is for you! Use it for Activities and Events in Maine, January 2012, or any other time of year. Share other mid-winter activities, or things to do in Maine in the spring, summer or fall.

Your event may already be included on the Great-Maine-Vacations.com Maine event calendar. If you see it and would like to update event information, please contact me and I will make the appropriate changes.

January Maine Event Calendar 2012

With all the things to do in Maine in January this list will continue to grow. Please check back periodically to see what current events have been added.

Very important...
Activities and events in Maine, January 2012 may not reflect schedule changes or cancellations. Before heading out, please confirm event dates and event locations.

Activities and Events in Maine, January 2012 are listed by event date. For maps and driving directions click on the Map links.

When: Sunday, January 1, 2012
Where: Old Orchard Beach, Maine - Map
More information: Special Olympics Maine website

Since 1988 "Lobster Dippers" have been taking a New Year's Day plunge in the chilly waters off Old Orchard Beach, in an effort to raise money for the Maine Special Olympics.

The Old Orchard Beach Lobster Dip will take place in front of The Brunswick Resort at 12:00 noon. The event raises tens of thousands of dollars for the statewide, year round program of athletic sports training and competition, for over 3,300 athletes with intellectual disabilities. Hopefully, you can help the Special Olympics with their 2012 Lobster Dip goals!

Maine oceanfront vacations rentals...

When: Sunday, January 8, 2012
Where: Bath, Maine - Map
More information: Bath Antique Shows website

For over 20 years Polly Thibodeau has been promoting her antiques in Bath, Maine. Her company, P.T. Promotions, sponsors 7 one-day antique shows in Bath, annually, along with a show in Waldoboro. The 50-60 exhibitors continue to attract a loyal following for each show.

When: Sunday, January 8, 2012
Where: Belfast, Maine - Map
More information: Call Jeffrey at 207-322-2155 or e-mail jrmabee@gmail.com

Learn about this cohousing community which has started building the first 9 of 36 passive solar homes...

...built to passivhaus standards. Bring the children for skating, a bonfire and hot chocolate.

More information about the Belfast Cohousing and Ecovillage is available at their website at: www.mainecohousing.org

When: Sunday, January 8, 2012 - Thursday, January 12, 2012
Where: Carrabassett Valley, Maine - Map
More information: Sugarloaf Mountain website, Events calendar page

"Kids ages 4-14 can enjoy free lift tickets, rentals, and children's programs when staying for three or more midweek nights during Sugarloaf's annual Children's Festival Week."

This is a week all about kids, with special kid's programs. Family events and a spectacular fireworks display are also planned. Before making Children's Festival Week reservations be sure to read the details on what is and is not included.

When: Sunday, January 8, 2012 - Friday, January 13, 2012
Where: Newry, Maine - Map
More information: Sunday River website, Children's Festival Week page

The entire Children's Week at Sunday River is dedicated to family fun. With a schedule of activities that includes fireworks, fire dancers, scavenger hunts, live family entertainment...

...snow tubing, ice skating parties, family festival night, movies, and themed Perfect Turn kid's lessons, there will be something fun to do for all ages.

"Kids can ski free, stay free, and get free rentals and Perfect Kids clinics when staying three nights or more with their parents during the Children's Festival."

Before making Children's Festival Week reservations be sure to read the details on what is and is not included.

Newry, Maine hotels...

More Activities and Events in Maine, January 2012...

When: Saturday, January 14, 2012
Where: Portland, Maine - Map
More information: Lucid Stage website, Portland, Maine LucidFest page

Lucid Fest in Portland will celebrate the New Year with an arts and crafts show, a bake sale, a white elephant sale, raffles, along with live music and performances. Henna tattoos, caricatures by Ed King, and individual sessions with healing arts practitioners are also on the Lucid Fest schedule of events.

Portland, Maine bed and breakfast...

When: Sunday, January 15, 2012 - Friday, January 20, 2012
Where: Newry, Maine - Map
More information: International Fire & Police Winter Games website

Enjoy the fresh mountain air and the natural beauty of Newry, Maine at the 2012 IFPWG. The games include giant slalom and slalom, biathlon, snowboard slalom, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, a hockey tournament, a curling tournament, and a firefighter team hose race

The IFPWG encourages families to attend the games and be included in the festivities, including a buffet dinner, awards ceremonies, dancing, and slide show presentations. Proceeds for this event will help benefit the Shriners Hospital Children’s Burn Center and Special Olympics.

Newry, Maine hotels...

Discount Tickets for Maine Events (or events anywhere)...

Great discounts for Maine Black Bears and Portland Pirates games, and all kinds of concerts and other fun Maine things to do.

When: Thursday, January 19, 2012 - Saturday, January 21, 2012
Where: Rangeley, Maine - Map
More information: Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club website, Snodeo 2012 page

Lots of winter fun at the Rangeley, Maine Snodeo. The 2011 event included a Chili-Chowder Cook-off, Casino Night, vintage snowmobile display, children's activities, live entertainment, dancing, and of course, snowmobiling. The 2012 Rangeley Snodeo promises much of the same.

When: Saturday, January 21, 2012 - Sunday, January 22, 2012
Where: Bridgton, Maine - Map
More information: Maine Lakes Musher's Bowl website

Plans are underway to make the Bridgton Musher's Bowl Winter Carnival 2012 an even bigger and better event than the 2011 Winter Carnival. More events will be added to the already long list of activities that includes...

...dog sled racing, snowshoe hiking, horse-drawn rides, snowmobile rides, dog sled rides, a ping-pong tournament, Bridgton Town Hall dance, polar dip, and of course great food with a pancake breakfast, chowder fest and baked bean supper.

When: Sunday, January 22, 2012
Where: Rockland, Maine - Map
More information: Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine website, Pies on Parade page

In honor of National Pie Day on January 23rd, the Historic Inns of Rockland, and local businesses and restaurants, will hold their 8th Annual Pies on Parade Tour on Sunday, January 22nd from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

This is NOT your average pie event. Tastings will range from old-time favorites, such as - apple, blueberry, and raspberry pies, to sweet potato pies, egg pies, cranberry apple pies, pizza pies, seafood pies, and because you are in Maine - the famous Maine Whoopie Pie, and much more. Tickets sell quickly and are available only through participating Inns (not other local businesses).

Rockland, Maine bed and breakfast...

When: Monday, January 23, 2012 - Friday, January 27, 2012
Where: Newry, Maine - Map
More information: Sunday River website, Events Calendar page

Being over 50 is a good thing during Sunday River Go50Week! Celebrate your age and active lifestyle with a wine dinner, live entertainment, free Snowflake Factory tours and great vacation packages for skiers and riders 50 years of age and over.

Newry, Maine hotels...

When: Saturday, January 28, 2012
Where: Camden, Maine - Map
More information: Camden, Maine Winterfest 2012 website

A community ice-carving event will highlight events at the 10th Annual Winterfest in Camden, Maine. Using traditional ice sculpting tools, members of the community will create their own works of art, and Chef Tim Pierce of the Samoset Resort (Camden) will be on hand to demonstrate ice carving. Hot soups, light snacks, children's crafts and live music are also on the Winterfest schedule.

When: Saturday, January 28, 2012 - Sunday, January 29, 2012
Where: Norway, Maine - Map
More information: Norway Trackers Snowmobile Club website, Events page

Join the fun in Norway, Maine at Lake Pennesseewassee (more commonly known as Norway Lake) as snowmobilers take part in drag racing on Saturday and radar runs on Sunday. Food and drinks will be available at the Lake.

When: Sunday, January 29, 2012 - Monday, January 30, 2012
Where: Carrabassett Valley, Maine - Map
More information: Special Olympics Maine website, Sugarloaf Mountain website, Events calendar page

Eighty Maine communities will be represented at Sugarloaf for the 43rd Annual Special Olympics Maine Winter Games. You are invited to watch as over 500 athletes compete at this winter sports event, and to attend a torchlight parade and the "biggest Fireworks display of the year"!

You may also be interested in:
Activities and Events in Maine
Best Time to Visit Maine
Maine Weather Forecast
Ski Resorts in Maine

Are you Planning Events in Maine for 2012?

...or know of one that should be shared? Just send me the details and I will be happy to include it in the appropriate section. You can send additions to Activities and Events in Maine, January 2012, other Maine winter activities, or Maine things to do in the spring, summer or fall!

Please note...

Great-Maine-Vacations.com does not post political events. I may have a dedicated page for that purpose in the future, but in the interim, I do not have the resources to accommodate them. I appreciate your understanding.

More Activities and Events in Maine, January 2012 coming...